Indigenous Polynesians claim that the from The fetau kernels have a very high oil content (55-70 coastal fetau trees are more beneficial for topical per cent). The fetau tree takes roughly four years to and cosmetic uses than the oil from inland fetau start producing fruit and subsequently produces up to Fetau Oil: trees. 100kg of fruit each year, typically resulting in about 18kg of oil. The oil is then cold pressed using power- Sustainable Harvesting ful presses, resulting in an oil with a rich texture and The Fetau collection is a low-impact, environmentally a greenish amber colour. The means by which the sustainable activity. The nuts are collected after fetau kernel becomes oily remains unknown. At pre- they drop on the ground, resulting in no negative sent, no studies explain this process. Miracle Oil impact on the trees or the surrounding environ- References ment. 1. Kilham, C. (2004) Tamanu Oil: A Tropical Topical Remedy. In Samoa, the harvesting of fetau nuts from beach www.herbalgram.org areas is a growing source of income for native peo- 2. Petard P. (1972). Tahiti-Polynesian medicinal plants and Tahitian remedies. Noumea, New Caledonia, South Pacific Commission; 1972 ple. The families crack the nuts and are then paid 3. Chevalier, J (1951), Study on a new cicatrizing agent for cutaneous for the kernels by weight. Due to the oil having a and mucous wounds. Paris, France, Institut de Biologie Normale Superieure. high market value, the families receive a very high 4. Beausoleil, C, Lehman, L. et al. (2001) Evaluation of the Ability of price per kernel, contributing positively to their One Test Product to Improve the Appearance of Scars. Bioscience small village economies. Laboratories Inc. XX 5. Pocidalo JJ, Chaslot M (1955). Oil of on experimental burns . Communication of the Society of Biology. The Production Process 6. Gopalakrishnan C, Shakaranarayanan D, Nazimudeen SK, Viswana- than S, Kameswaran L (1980) Antiinflammatory and CNS depressant activities of xanthones from Calohyllum inophyllum and mesua fer- rea. Indian Journal of Pharamacology. 7. Mahumu S, Rizwani GR, Ahmad M, Ali S, Perveen S, Ahmad VU. (1998) Antimicrobial studies on fractions and pure compounds of . Pakistan Journal of Pharmacology.

ORDERS: Women in Business Development sell pure fetau oil, and organic virgin oil infused with fetau oil. Email [email protected] to place your order. Research shows fetau oil is a significant topical healing agent with skin healing, Women in Business Development Inc is an organisation dedicated to anti-neuralgic, anti-inflammatory, strengthening village economies in Samoa in ways that honour indig- antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. enous customs, use traditional and modern technology, and promote fair trade. When the are cracked open, the blonde kernel contains little evident oil. But once the kernel WOMEN IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT is dried on a rack for a month or two, it turns a PO BOX 6591, Apia, Samoa www.womeninbusiness.ws deep chocolate brown and becomes sticky with a Tel: (685) 21959 rich oil. Fax: (685) 25246 www.womeninbusiness.ws What can fetau do? bites, abrasions, acne, psoriasis, diabetic sores, gun to penetrate the European and US markets, anal fissures, sunburn, dry skin, blisters, eczema primarily in the cosmetic sectors. and herpes sores. The chemistry of fetau oil is complex and unusu- Heals new and old scars al, perhaps explaining some of the impressive In one study, fetau oil was applied to six subjects physiological actions possessed by the plant. with visually obvious, aged scars. After six weeks Since the 1930s the effectiveness of fetau oil has of applying fetau oil, a significant improvement in been studied in hospitals and by researchers in the appearance of the scars was seen and the Europe, Asia and the Pacific islands. size of the scars consistently decreased through- out the study. The Fetau Tree Antibacterial & Antifungal Several studies have demonstrated that fetau oil contains several powerful bactericide/fungicide agents. It is effective against fungal diseases such as jock itch, ringworm, athletes’ foot and rashes of the scalp and beard. Antioxidant Fetau oil is able to protect skin cells from damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other oxi- dative agents, helping to slow aging and damage Relieves Pain to the skin. Traditionally fetau oil has a history of topical use for relieving pain of sciatica, shingles, neuralgia, History rheumatism and leprous neuritis. In one incredi- ble case, a woman was admitted to a hospital in Many remedies Paris with a large ulcer that wouldn’t heal and sold today in the amputation was inevitable. However, with regular markets of devel- The fetau tree grows between 25 and 30 meters, dressings of fetau oil, the skin healed leaving a oped nations con- with long spreading limbs. The mature fruit are smooth flat scar. tain ingredients about the size of an apricot and have a large Reduces Swelling that have a long blonde nut inside. Fetau oil can reduce inflammation, helping rash- history of use by The fetau tree flowers twice a year. However, es, sores, swelling and abrasions heal when the indigenous peo- families in Samoa have noticed that as the cli- oil is applied to the skin. ples. mate has begun to change the fetau tree flowers Generates New Skin Tissue This is the case with fetau oil, also known as ta- continuously. Fetau oil applied to wounds can promote the gen- manu oil, a traditional remedy with a long history The nut-containing fruit disperse throughout the eration of new tissue (a process called cicitriza- of native use in , Melanesia, Micronesia Pacific by dropping from the trees and floating on tion), accelerating healing and the growth of and Southeast Asia. the seas to other coastal areas. Fetau trees are healthy skin. Polynesian women massage it onto Calophylluym means “beautiful leaf” from the unusual in that they favour salty, sandy soil. babies to prevent diaper rash and skin eruptions. Greek Kalos (beautiful) and phullon (leaf) The deep of the fetau tree provides protec- It can be applied to cuts, scrapes, burns, insect Only within the past few years has fetau oil be- tion from tsunamis and soil erosion.